Road Cycling - Opinions for new road bike for someone looking to get back into road cycling...

Hi all,

I am a regular to the mtb section of the forum, and since i am thinking of getting a new road bike i thought i should ask the road experts! I am 27 , used to train and race roadies 11 yrs ago (100miles per day). I left cycling for 7yrs and resumed in 2002 with some XC, and now full-on trailriding DH/FR.

Problem is that the trails are 6-10 miles from my house. Also i live in the UK and given the rain, and the fact that i am Greek, i hate mud... hence i dont get enough riding time for my legs ... put into the equation that i need to ditch 15lbs and to quit smoking.... i came up with the idea of getting a road bike. We got a wonderfull cycle-route next to my doorstep, which follows a river... sounds ideal for road training.

Anyhow thats about the theory.... i feel like getting a road bike, my other option is to haul road miles on my freeride bike ...

As for roadbikes, given some extensive research, i want Centaur Groupset, Campy Scirroco wheelset or Mavic Ksyrium Equipe. As for the frame, allu with carbon forks (and stays maybe...)

My options so far (given my budget...max 2000$) are...

Bianchi SL3 Carbon Stays frame/fork
Tifosi CK5 frame carbon stays
Bianchi ML3
Bianchi SL3 (allu stays)

By the way, i am 6.1" , 78cm inseam and according to wrenchscience ...i should get a 50cm frame, with 61cm overall reach (virtual TT + Stem lenght). Is that right? The lbs told me to get a 56cm frame... go figure. Also i am 210lbs.

Another option by the LBS was a Lemond bike (old model) with reynolds 853 tubes and 105 gruppo (i dont want shimano...nothing against it... i just like italian road components).

Your input and advice will be precious and most wellcome.

Yours
Yannis

That seems a very short inseam for someone 6'1 tall! Are you sure you measured it right? It was suggested to me that I measure stnading straight against a wall, barefoot, using a book between my legs - push the spine of the book firmly between your legs as if sitting on a bike saddle, and measure from the top of the spine (making sure the book is level) to the floor. I'm 6', 34" inseam. Without seeing you, I'd guess the minimum frame size you would fit would be a 56cm.

That seems a very short inseam for someone 6'1 tall! Are you sure you measured it right? It was suggested to me that I measure stnading straight against a wall, barefoot, using a book between my legs - push the spine of the book firmly between your legs as if sitting on a bike saddle, and measure from the top of the spine (making sure the book is level) to the floor. I'm 6', 34" inseam. Without seeing you, I'd guess the minimum frame size you would fit would be a 56cm.

Ok i ll do it that way as well... but the most i ll get is 80-82cm tops....

As for the bikes? I loved the bianchi brand (i am after quality and long term reliability, ie i dont want a bike for 3 yrs....)

Any opinions?

With that budget max, you're going to be using up more of it for components and have less left for the frame if you're going Campy instead of Shimano.

Nothing wrong with that preference, just pointing out the economic reality of that choice, in case you weren't aware.

Ok i ll do it that way as well... but the most i ll get is 80-82cm tops....

As for the bikes? I loved the bianchi brand (i am after quality and long term reliability, ie i dont want a bike for 3 yrs....)

Any opinions?
BIANCHI L'una :D

measurements do sound wierd. a 52cm frame, for example, would have a top tube of 52cm top tube or less. so your stem, to fit your longer torso and 61cm reach, would have to be 90mm, which is about normal. but this is typically a rider who is much shorter than you are. is your neck or head abnormally long?

My neck is relatively long indeed. The inseam is max 82cm with the book measurement method, height is 183-185cm.

Any comments on reliability and warranty of bianchi? or tifosi?